There are many natural options for treatment of high cholesterol. There are many herbs and other natural items that have been available much longer than the commonly prescribed medicines used today to regulate high cholesterol.
These natural items may help reduce your cholesterol levels by dissolving fat within the blood stream. Those of you who are working to control your cholesterol levels with more natural means, like exercise and dieting, may be happy to hear this.
To be able to fight cholesterol the natural way, you will want to take more…
Soluble Fiber
Abundant in oat bran, rice bran, beans, peas, barley, citrus fruits, strawberries, carrots and apples, this type of fiber helps bring down LDLs without lowering HDLs. Fiber could be consumed via fiber health supplements or through foodstuff such as whole grains and vegetables, aside from those cited above. It is believed that fiber binds to cholesterol within the small intestines, protecting against cholesterol absorption into the blood stream.
Soybeans
Consuming 3 tablespoons of soy protein a day decreases LDLs by nearly 13 percent and triglycerides by 10 percent. Stir soy powder into orange juice, eat soy burgers or roasted soy beans, or drink hot chocolate which has been made with a vanilla-flavored soy beverage.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Believe it or not, this type of fat is good for you. Discovered in fish like salmon and mackerel, along with other fish, this oil brings down triglycerides and raises HDLs. Eat 3 to 4 ounces twice a week and maintain a low fat diet. You can also get your Omega-3s through supplements found at your local health-food store.
Psyllium
A concentrated source of soluble fiber, psyllium is usually found in laxatives and bran cereals. People who suffer from high cholesterol who consume about 10 grams of psyllium every day can lower total cholesterol by 5 percent and LDLs by 9 percent. Be cautious though since psyllium may trigger intestinal blockages if taken without sufficient liquids.
Tea
The green, black, and oolong kinds have chemicals that are thought to lower LDLs and help keep them from oxidizing.
Vitamin E
Found in edible vegetable oils such as wheat germ, sunflower, cottonseed, safflower, canola, soybean, and corn oil; vitamin E prevents the development of artery-clogging plaque.
Garlic
Garlic is really a proven anti-oxidant. This helps prevent LDLs from being oxidized and cuts down the build-up of plaque that clogs the arteries.
Carnitine
Carnitine has been seen to increase HDL levels, therefore decreasing total cholesterol levels.
Chromium
Chromium is essential within the synthesis of cholesterol, fats and protein. It sustains stable blood sugar levels via correct insulin utilization and can be beneficial for individuals with diabetes and/or hypoglycemia. Studies have shown that low plasma chromium levels can be an indication of coronary artery disease. Take 400 mcg. a day of chromium picolinate to enhance HDL to LDL ratio.
CoEnzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 has been noted to reduce total cholesterol serum levels.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract can reduce total cholesterol serum levels.
Pantothine
Pantothine has been seen to increase HDL levels, therefore decreasing total cholesterol levels.
Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice contains a natural form of lovastatin. It is an effective natural product for cholesterol control.
Royal Jelly
Royal Jelly has been seen to lower cholesterol levels by reducing some of the cholesterol-elevating effects of nicotine.
Ascorbic Acid (also known as vitamin C)
Taking Vitamin C with bioflavonoids of up to 4000 mg. a day is thought to lower cholesterol.
Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, which can help lower total cholesterol levels and improve the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio. A study has found that eating walnuts at the end of a meal may help to reduce the damage fatty foods can do to the arteries. The study looked at 24 adults, half with normal cholesterol and half with levels that were moderately high, who were given two high fat meals eaten one week apart. The researchers then added five teaspoons of olive oil for one meal and eight shelled walnuts for the other. The results revealed that both the olive oil and nuts reduced the onset of inflammation following a meal high in saturated fat. But the walnuts also helped preserve the elasticity of the arteries. Almonds have been shown to be just as good at lowering LDL cholesterol as walnuts, and should be just as cardio-protective.
Thanks Stephen. You are absolutely right! Nuts and olive oil are two important cholesterol fighters that were left out of this post.
I just read recently about Guggulipd which is a gum resin from a tree found in northern Africa and central Asia. Studies completed in India showed that guggulipd reduced cholesterol levels found in the blood including LDL cholesterol. I guess there were clinical trials in the US but those did not show the same results.
Diabetics can really be helped by using a natural berry called the miracle fruit, the sugar owners stopped this going into mass production – what a shame as it could have helped so many.